Mobily's use of technology and multimedia to improve customer experience earned the Saudi Arabian phone company first place in the service retailer category of the Retail Design Institute's 2009 International Store Design Awards when 200 of retail's top designers, editors and vendors cast their votes for the most influential store designs of 2008.

Mobily, by harnessing new technology, stood out from more than 135 architects, designers and retailers worldwide considered for the award. Mobily's store design uses digital signage networks, self-service kiosks and storewide audio to attract fresh customers and engage existing ones.

Including a welcome desk with a Q-Matic customer management system; a self-service area powered by interactive kiosks; a gaming zone; an Internet zone providing free online access; and a technical support area to help existing customers, Mobily developed areas within each store called "Knowledge Zones," or "K-Zones". The K-Zone setup reduces perceived waiting times, and it increases customer engagement and education while they are in the store.

To help them develop an interactive environment in its stores, Mobily turned to PRO-AV, a division of United Yousef Naghi Co. Ltd., in 2005. Currently, PRO-AV uses Scala digital signage software to power more than 1,000 plasma screens, 19 full-graphic LED screens, 100 interactive kiosks and five video walls and rear projection systems in 260 of Mobily's stores.

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